Thousand in Perth Amboy attend March of Solidarity to end police brutality and racism.

On Saturday June 6th, a massive crowd in Perth Amboy peacefully protested against police brutality and racism. It is estimated that 1000 attended the protest to honor George Floyd and countless other Black victims of police brutality and to demand justice. Many protestors held signs or wore shirts saying Black Lives Matter and Justice for George Floyd. Protestors rallied at Perth Amboy High School and then marched to City Hall. It began at 1pm at the high school when the huge crowd heard from Frontline NJ Youth organizers, a group dedicated to the fight against systemic racism and police brutality. Frontline NJ Youth organizers talked the need for police body cams to be on during all types of duty, the need for community review boards, the elimination of a militarized police force and a task-force to address racism in schools. Then they led the march through the city into downtown, stopping at the Perth Amboy Police Department, where participants took a knee or participated in a lie in for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, to represent the amount of time that the police were kneeling on George Floyd’s neck. Perth Amboy Police Officers participated by taking a knee.

Perth Amboy March of Solidarity
photo by Alyssa Kennedy

Frontline Youth NJ organized the march in coordination with the City of Perth Amboy and the Perth Amboy Police Department. The protestors arrived at City Hall and gathered in the circle for more speeches. “If you want to make a difference and want your voice heard, register to vote! Run for office and create change” said Pastor Danielle Brown-Cathedral International, who is also a Perth Amboy School Board Member. Ruby Bonilla described the protest as a beautiful demonstration and felt very proud of her hometown “who was able to come together and organize an amazing protest and bring a message of justice and unity in the face of so much pain.”

Ruby Bonilla and volunteers gave out water at the March of Solidarity

There was a huge turnout of Perth Amboy residents of all ages, and many parents with their children. Many Perth Amboy leaders were there including members of the religious community, elected officials, civic leaders, educators, social and youth services and community leaders. Perth Amboy NAACP chair Donna Stewart video welcomed the youth protest leaders and congratulated them on organizing the march. Other leaders included Royal Garden Club President Betty Crews, Rev. Anne-Marie Jeffery from St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Mayor Wilda Diaz, Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, Middlesex County Freeholder Kenneth Armwood, Perth Amboy Councilman Helmin Caba, Perth Amboy Councilman Fernando Irizarry, former Perth Amboy Council President Lisa Nanton, Perth Amboy High School Art Teacher Rachel Wintemberg, Waterfront Neighborhood Association Organizer Bienvenido Torres, Chair of the Perth Amboy PTO Maria Rogers, Director of Perth Amboy Human Services Ken Ortiz, life coach Jesus Ramos, Attorney Daniel Gonzalez, Department Head Social Services Diane Roman, President of the School Board Tashi Vazquez, editor of the Amboy Guardian Carolyn Maxwell, Mercy House Coordinator Damaris Ramirez, Perth Amboy Civic Trustee Jose Amarante and many more leaders. Many Perth Amboy Democratic Committeemen and Committeewomen were also in attendance.

Perth Amboy March of Solidarity

More than 100 protests against police brutality and racism took place around NJ this week alone, with thousands of people attending, almost all peaceful. Middlesex County NJ had Black Lives Matter protests in New Brunswick, Carteret, Old Bridge, Sayreville, Perth Amboy, Woodbridge, Highland Park, Edison, South Brunswick, North Brunswick, South River, South Plainfield, Dunellen, Middlesex and Piscataway. CNN reports that protests have been going for the past 13 days across the country and world, and are only growing in size. Governor Murphy has been tweeting Black Lives Matter.

Perth Amboy Now stands in solidarity with the African American Community, Black Lives Matter, & everyone protesting the horrific murder of George Floyd and countless other victims of police brutality. Together we must fight to end systemic racism.

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